Donald Trump, the newly elected President of America, will take charge of America on January 20. Although US President Joe Biden is currently in power, Trump is not leaving any opportunity where he does not share the outline of his upcoming term. Sometimes he talks about making Canada the 51st state of America, sometimes he talks about a plan to occupy Greenland located in the Arctic region through military or economic means, and sometimes he talks about taking the Panama Canal back under America’s control. .
Now the question is why is Trump doing this and what is his strategy? Although Trump’s statement about merging Canada with the US should not be taken too seriously, it is important to consider his views regarding Greenland and Panama. After all, what is it about Greenland and Panama that Trump is not shying away from using military force to take them under his control?
First let’s talk about Greenland. The geopolitical circumstances of the world are such that every powerful country wants to expand its sphere of influence. The rise of Russia and China becoming the world’s second largest power are both big challenges for America. In this context, all eyes are on Greenland. Trump considers it necessary for America’s national security.
Greenland is the world’s largest island, located in the Arctic Circle around the North Pole. Its area is equal to about two-thirds of India, i.e. more than 21.5 lakh square kilometers. Although the name Greenland sounds like it would be lush green, 80 percent of its area is covered in ice. In geography, it is considered a part of North America, but its distance from America’s capital Washington DC is about 3000 kilometers.
Why is America interested in this snow covered area?
Greenland is an autonomous region, but it is also part of Denmark, which has its own government and parliament. Politically and culturally it is very close to Europe, and has been in contact with Norway and Denmark since the ninth century. Two-thirds of Greenland’s budget comes from Denmark, while the rest comes from fishing trade in the Arctic region.
In the area closest to the North Pole, Greenland, the days are up to two months long in the summer, while the nights are also up to two months long in the winter. As big as this area is, it is equally rich in natural resources. Oil, gas and rare earth minerals are found here, which are found in very few places in the world and are very important. According to a Reuters report, a 2023 survey revealed that out of 34 minerals found in Greenland, 25 were classified by the European Commission as “critical raw materials”. These also include minerals like lithium used in batteries and electric cars.
However, keeping in mind the environmental damage, Greenland has banned the extraction of oil and gas from its land. Apart from this, mining here is also not easy due to opposition from the local people. This is why Greenland’s economy is mainly dependent on fisheries and the budget from Denmark.
80 percent of Greenland’s area is covered with ice, and in some places the ice is up to 4 kilometers thick. However, due to climate change, this ice is slowly melting, which has increased the possibility of new sea routes. This is the reason why the powerful countries of the world want to maintain their influence in this area.
What is the meaning of Trump’s latest statement on Greenland?
The geo-strategic importance of Greenland is so great that no country around it wants to let it go out of its control and tries to establish dominance over it. Greenland is located on the shortest sea route from North America to Europe. Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, is much closer to New York than Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.
Considering it strategically important, during the Cold War the US established its radar base in Greenland under a treaty with Denmark. Historically, Denmark made this concession because it was not fully capable of protecting Greenland on its own and by joining the NATO alliance, it got a guarantee of security from the US.
America also considers Greenland important for its ballistic missile warning system. According to many experts, given the expansionist stance of China and Russia, America does not want to lose its control over Greenland. Trump’s latest statements have come in this context.
Denmark did not like the rhetoric Donald Trump made after winning the presidential election. In 2019, during his first term as President, Trump had proposed buying Greenland, which Denmark described as absurd. Was rejected. Now, again on Trump’s similar statement, the Danish Prime Minister has said that he is willing to have close cooperation with America, but Greenland belongs to its people and should be respected. He also said that only Greenland can decide its future. The European Union has also talked about respecting the sovereignty of Greenland and said that Greenland is a part of Denmark.
Meanwhile, Greenland’s autonomous government has reiterated its rights, saying it looks forward to establishing contacts with the Trump administration and will maintain close cooperation with the US.
Now it has to be seen that when Trump comes to power, how his current statements regarding Greenland are seen on the ground. At the same time, Russia and China are keeping an eye on Trump’s next step on Greenland.
Now let’s talk about the issue of Panama Canal
America’s newly elected President Donald Trump is also appearing very aggressive regarding the Panama Canal. He also does not rule out the possibility of using military force to capture it. But what is it about the Panama Canal that is making Trump so excited about it? The answer is the global trade through that canal.
Today 5% of the world’s maritime transport passes through the Panama Canal alone. Goods worth $270 billion pass through this canal every year, and 40% of America’s container traffic passes through this route alone. This is why the Panama Canal is very important for America from strategic and business point of view. This canal is located in the country of Panama, which connects North and South America.
History and Importance of Panama Canal
At one end of Panama lies Colombia, rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage, while Panama was a part of Colombia until 1903. On the other side of Panama is Costa Rica, a naturally rich country. Geographically, Panama is an isthmus, where the North Pacific Ocean is located on one side, the Caribbean Sea on the other side, and the Gulf of Panama on the third side. This geographical location of Panama is very important. This is why America, which supported Panama’s independence from Colombia, established diplomatic relations with Panama after its independence in 1903 and also took advantage of it. That same year, Panama granted the United States the right to build, operate, and defend the Panama Canal connecting its two oceans. America completed this canal in eleven years, by 1914.
Importance of Panama Canal for America
This 82 kilometer long canal is very important for America and the whole world in terms of international trade. After the Panama Canal was built, ships no longer needed to circle South America to reach the west coast of the United States or Canada. Previously, ships had to pass through Cape Horn, the polar southern tip of South America. For example, if one had to go from New York to San Francisco by sea, one would have to first travel 20,900 kilometers via Cape Horn. But with the construction of the Panama Canal, this distance became only 8,370 kilometers.
After the construction of the Panama Canal, the situation of maritime trade has become such that thousands of ships go from the Caribbean Sea to the North Pacific Ocean through this canal. As we mentioned earlier, 5% of the world’s maritime transport transits the Panama Canal, and 40% of US container traffic passes through the canal. In 2023, more than 14,000 ships passed through this canal. This canal connects more than 2,000 ports of 170 countries of the world.
In fact, 90% of the world’s goods are supplied through sea routes, so canals that shorten sea routes become important. The Panama Canal is one of the few canals in the world, which is an important link for global trade.
Trump’s statements on the Panama Canal and its background
In 1979 and 1999, Panama signed some additional treaties with the United States, as a result of which Panama gained full rights and control over this canal from 1999. America’s newly elected President Donald Trump seems angry with this situation. Two days ago, he criticized the late former US President Jimmy Carter because during his reign the US had given up its rights on the Panama Canal. Trump believes that America spent time and resources building this canal in a swampy area surrounded by mosquitoes in the early 20th century, so it should be kept under American control.
Trump also believes that in the last few years, China has expanded its influence on this strategically important canal, and now more money is being taken from America for passing through this canal.
The status of the Panama Canal with China’s dominance
America is already alert about China’s increasing influence in the countries of South America. To deal with it from a strategic and commercial point of view, Trump is making strong comments regarding the Panama Canal. However, what steps they will take after coming to power remains to be seen.
Impact of drought and climate change on the Panama Canal
The condition of the Panama Canal is being affected not only due to China’s dominance but also due to climate change. Over the past two years, drought has had a severe impact on the Panama Canal. The effect of the drought that started in late 2022 continued till 2023, due to which the canal’s water source lakes started drying up and there was a shortage of water in the canal. Due to this, the movement of ships through the canal was affected and the Panama Canal Authority imposed restrictions on the number and size of ships passing through the canal. As a result, the number of cargo ships decreased by 40% and many ships had to take longer routes, which increased costs and also increased pollution.
Panama Canal construction and lock system
The construction of the Panama Canal was a complex process. It is estimated that so much soil and rocks were removed in digging the canal that it could have filled the entire Manhattan Island by 12 feet. The construction of the canal was not easy because its Atlantic Ocean end was far below the Pacific Ocean. For this reason, ships were hoisted up and sent from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. For this, locks were made at three places, with the help of which ships were raised or lowered.
When a ship enters the canal from the Atlantic end, the first lock is closed. After this, the level of the canal is raised by filling with water and the ship enters the second lock. Then, the second lock is closed and the level of the canal is raised again by filling with water. In this way, the ship reaches the Pacific Ocean through three locks.
History of the Panama Canal
The idea of ​​building the Panama Canal dates back to the 15th century, but the first attempt was made by France. Count Ferdinand de Lesseps, the builder of the Suez Canal in Egypt, was entrusted with the work in 1880, but it had to be stopped due to technical and economic problems. In 1903, America accelerated work on it and employed more than 40,000 workers. Many workers died due to yellow fever and malaria, yet work continued and the canal was completed in 1914.
Other important canals of the world
Grand Canal, China – This 1776 kilometer long canal connects Beijing to Hangzhou and is included in UNESCO’s World Heritage. The work of building it started in 330 BC.
Suez Canal – This 193.30 kilometer long canal was completed in 1869, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of Suez. This canal directly connects Europe and Asia.
Panama Canal – Completed in 1914, the canal connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and carries 5% of global maritime trade.
Eyrie Canal, America – This 584 kilometer long canal was built between 1817 and 1825 and played an important role in the economic development of America’s Midwest.
Karakum Canal, Turkmenistan – Completed in 1988, this canal was built during the Soviet Union era and proved important for the economy of Turkmenistan.
